This bibliography provides a comprehensive overview of scholarly works on theatrical magic from many different fields of enquiry. Researchers have asked questions about theatrical magic from diverse disciplines and provided a rich tapestry of perspectives on this quaint performance art.
This bibliography is updated as new material becomes available. Feel free to visit the bookshop if you are interested in purchasing Perspectives on Magic or some of the works listed below.
Business Studies
The literature in the genre mainly deals with using magic as a metaphor to teach people about managing a business. The question asked in this literature is how magic tricks can be used to better understand management and marketing. The chapter on using magic tricks in teaching discusses this literature in some detail.
Dentistry
In dentistry magic tricks can be used to put young patients at ease. Performing a magic trick for children reduces the time it takes them to get them to sit in the dreaded chair and improves the quality of their care. The chapter on the Power of Magic in Perspectives on Magic discusses the use of magic in health-care.
Education
Teachers can use magic tricks to help their students understand abstract concepts of mathematics and physics as many tricks are based on these sciences. Performing magic tricks stimulates the curiosity of students and motivates them to find out the principles of science that were used to create magic. Perspectives on Magic has a chapter dedicated to the use of magic tricks in teaching.
Film Studies
Magic and film studies have a lot in common in that both cinema and magic are based on deception. Magicians were some of the first film exhibitors, performers and producers. Magicians Georges Méliès, and Charles Pathé were among the first to embrace film as a performance medium. Their efforts led to the development of special effects as a narrative device. The literature in the genre reviews what role magicians played in the development of cinema and how they responded to its development. The role magicians have played in cultural history is discussed in Perspectives on Magic, including their involvement in the early history of film.
Gender Studies
Magic is one of the few male dominated performance arts. Less than five percent of people actively involved in theatrical magic are women. In other performance arts, about 37% of all performers are female.In gender studies, possible reasons for imbalances between men and women are explored. These works are discussed in the Magic Networks chapter of Perspectives on Magic.
History
Many magicians have an avid interest in the history of their passion, but their accounts are not considered of high value to academic historians as these writings mostly omit to place magic in a wider historical context. Until very recently, social historians had no real interest in magic. The past decade has, however, seen a steady flow of monographs critically analysing conjuring’s place in society through the ages. The chapter on the history of magic discusses the historiography of magic in detail.
Information Technology
Both software designers and magicians create virtual realities. Software designers bring theirs alive on computer displays; magicians bring theirs alive on the stage. Developing a computer interface is a bit like performing a magic trick because a computer screen or robot represents a simulated reality. Several academic papers have been written that describe the similarities between magic and information technology. This is another example of how magic tricks can help teach abstract concepts.
Library Studies
Magicians are avid collectors of books on their craft. Some bequeathed their collections to academic institutions, which have been described in academic journal articles. These works are discussed in the Magic Networks chapter of Perspectives on Magic.
Linguistics
Magicians use language to be able to share secrets with each other and also use their words wisely to enhance the deception of their audiences. These works are discussed in the Magic Networks and chapters of Perspectives on Magic.
Mathematics
Many magic tricks are based on the principles of mathematics, which makes them suitable vehicle for teachers. Some aspects of magic have been studies in detail by mathematicians. Some have studied card shuffling in great detail, which is important knowledge for computer software and when managing a casino. The relationship between magic and mathematics is discussed in the chapter on teaching in Perspectives on Magic.
Medicine
Medical researchers have investigated the impacts of endurance stunts, performed by Harry Houdini and David Blaine, on the body. The chapter on the Power of Magic in Perspectives on Magic discusses the use of magic in health-care.
Mental Health Care
In mental health care patients perform magic tricks to enhance their self-esteem, while performing magic tricks by the therapist has been used to assist in diagnosis. The chapter on the Power of Magic in Perspectives on Magic discusses the use of magic in health-care.
Nursing
The use of magic tricks in nursing is mainly related to performing tricks to children in order to help children cope with the anxiety of hospitalisation. Clown Doctors can be seen in many hospitals around the world. The chapter on the Power of Magic in Perspectives on Magic discusses the use of magic in health-care.
Occupational Therapy
Performing magic tricks by people with physical disabilities can help them improve their motor skills and improve their self-confidence. Several programs are in existence where magicians and occupational therapists work with patients to improve their life. The chapter on the Power of Magic in Perspectives on Magic discusses the use of magic in health-care.
Performance Studies
The literature on performance studies is surprisingly silent on the topic of magic, which is emblematic of the fact that conjuring is perceived as a lowly form of theatre by the establishment. The literature on performance studies and the question when magic can be considered a performance art is discussed in chapter four of Perspectives on Magic.
Psychology
The psychology of magic is the largest field and seeks to explain why we can so easily be deceived. Some of the psychological research into magic is discussed in Perspectives on Magic.
Social Sciences
The social sciences look at the social world of magicians—how they are organised, how they share secrets and other aspects of being a magician. These works are discussed in the Magic Networks chapter of Perspectives on Magic.